Addiction & Trauma Recovery Center

Licensed by Thai Ministry of Health #84-03-00294

Addiction Detox

Addiction Detox Program​

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO

ALCOHOL OR PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS:

Never attempt to detox from alcohol or any chemical substance, without proper medical supervision and counsel as this can potentially lead to significant medication complications, including seizures (Delirium Tremors better known as DTs), heart attacks, nausea, fever, dizziness and more.

Sadly, approximately 10% (one in every ten) of unmedicated or unsupervised alcohol detoxification leads to fatal seizures. Please, always request medical help before attempting to detox, particularly by yourself. OR speak to us at Holina and we can advise you.

What Is Addiction Detoxification?​

Detoxification is a process of abolishing a substance of dependence from the body in a way which does not hinder the body’s physiology. Detoxification often takes a couple of days and half a month to finish, which is contingent upon the substance being abused, the seriousness of reliance and the help accessible to the client. Metabolism plays an important role in an effective detoxification process; some of the eminent enzymes discussed in this review, help in the excretion of xenobiotics. Psychosocial treatments nearby pharmacological medicines are fundamental to improving results. The over-reliance conditions considered in this review are detoxification from opioids with clonidine-naltrexone, buprenorphine and other procedures, and detoxification of benzodiazepines through adjunctive therapies and medications. Detoxification of psychostimulants with propranolol and amantadine is also discussed in detail.

Source: Medical Toxicology

Withdrawal & Detox

Withdrawal is the medical term used to describe the body’s physical reaction to the removal of any substance upon which it has become dependent. Withdrawal is caused by stopping or dramatically reducing alcohol or drug use after a significant and extended timeframe.

The typical reaction (depending upon which substance the person is dependent upon) may include:

Fever, Sweating, Shaking, Headaches, Significant, Cravings, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal, Cramping, Diarrhoea or constipation, Sleeplessness and insomnia, Anger, Resentment, Confusion, Agitation, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Other behavioural changes

One aspect of addiction is the person’s inability to go through this withdrawal process alone since their mental obsession for comfort and emotional relief is over overwhelming that they are extremely unlikely to maintain their desire to quit for any length of time.

This internal mental obsession struggles to persuade them that a return to their addictive substance or behaviour, even if just for one dose or drink or activity will be sufficient to help them feel better and that they’ll be able to control it afterwards. However, these attempts are always futile because once they have permitted even just one dose, drink, or activity they will find themselves unable to stop from acting out further. This is the very nature of addiction.

Drug & Narcotics Detox

Many narcotics require a medically supervised withdrawal period, for instance, fentanyl, heroin, and other painkillers/opiates. Others may not. However, alcohol dependency certainly does require prescribed medical support in a safe and controlled manner. Prescription medications, of all classifications, require medically supervised detox, especially if the person has been using them for an extended period.

Marijuana/weed, crystal meth and cocaine (crack) do not necessarily require a full medically managed detox; however, medical assessment is recommended, particularly as there may be other, unknown, or undiscussed substances involved. Furthermore, there is also a significant, self-induced, mental obsession with these drugs and therefore, a period of stabilization is advised.

Withdrawal & Detox From Process Addictions

Detoxification is also relevant for many other addictions too. For instance, people with food addictions, need to first cut out and begin to abstain from “trigger” foods – typically, refined sugars and processed carbohydrates.
Or for people with technology addiction, e.g. smartphones, or the internet, a period of abstinence from their devices or the ability to browse online must be enforced for people to withdraw and see their life from a more realistic viewpoint.

For sex addictions, it’s equally important to begin from a place of abstinence, before going on to discover their personal acceptable boundaries.

Prescription drugs such as Hydro codeine, Oxycontin, Xanax, Vicodin and Valium, all require medically supervised detox. Treatment of withdrawal (detox) includes closely monitoring the person’s vital signs, supportive care and medications.

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